Deadlock in Ohio Over Union Rights

By

Kris Maher And

Amy Merrick

August 19, 2011

Labor unions have rejected an offer by Ohio Gov. John Kasich to seek a compromise on a new law that removes most collective-bargaining rights for the state's 350,000 public employees, as a fight over the legislation heads toward a statewide referendum in November.

On Wednesday, Mr. Kasich, a Republican, and the party's leaders in the Ohio Senate and House made a pitch to public-employee union leaders to "avoid the bitter political warfare" over the law, known as Senate Bill 5. In a letter Thursday, however, unions said a "fresh start must begin with a full repeal of Senate Bill 5."

ENLARGE

Opponents of Ohio's collective-bargaining law unloaded petitions in June at the secretary of state's office to get a repeal question on the ballot.
The Columbus Dispatch/Associated Press

Rob Nichols, a spokesman for Mr. Kasich, said the governor's offer to meet with union officials Friday still stood. "We're confident that there are reasonable folks who understand the value of restarting the negotiations that labor unfortunately pulled out from earlier, and we look forward to talking with them on Friday," he said.

Republican House Speaker William Batchelder rejected the unions' suggestion to craft a new law. "That dog won't hunt," said Mr. Batchelder, noting that GOP lawmakers offered to negotiate a compromise with unions in June but that effort failed.

Unions argue that Republicans were unwilling to compromise on significant provisions of the legislation prior to its passage, and that it would be better to start from scratch.

Senate Bill 5 was passed over widespread Democratic opposition and signed into law in March by Gov. Kasich, who pushed it as a way to give local governments greater freedom to cut labor costs, without shedding jobs, as the state tried to close an $8 billion deficit.

The law eliminates most collective-bargaining rights for state employees, including the ability of unions to negotiate benefits, and would increase workers' contributions to pensions and health care. The law also makes it easier for public employees to opt out of joining or paying dues to unions.

The fight in Ohio over Senate Bill 5 generated protests and an unprecedented petition and voter outreach campaign across the state by opponents of the law. National unions have pledged at least $25 million to the referendum campaign, but expect to be outspent by business groups backing the law, according to one union official. Unions hope they can generate momentum that could help President Barack Obama win re-election next year.

Mike Gillis, a spokesman for the AFL-CIO in Ohio, said unions had 10,000 volunteers, mostly union members, to canvass voters. "We're ramped up and ready to go," he said.

Labor experts said unions risked appearing rigid by refusing offers to compromise. But their ability to negotiate was limited, they said, because the labor-backed group "We Are Ohio" got roughly 1.3 million signatures on petitions to put the law on the November ballot.

"If they're willing to compromise then they'll be seen as selling out some of their members and they'll lose some support nationwide," said Gary Chaison, a professor of industrial relations at Clark University in Worcester, Mass.

A newly formed group called Building a Better Ohio is leading the campaign to uphold Senate Bill 5.

"Repealing the entire bill is not a solution. It denies the fiscal reality that is facing too many of our communities across the state," said Jason Mauk, a spokesman for the advocacy group that is supported by GOP lawmakers and Gov. Kasich.

Mr. Mauk said the group expected to be running ads supporting the law around Labor Day. The group, which has not yet disclosed its donors, declined to say how much money it has raised.

The Cincinnati USA Regional Chamber, which supports Senate Bill 5, will invite legislators to speak to its members about the bill, and will encourage them and their employees to vote for the law, said Matt Davis, vice president of government affairs. He said the chamber would coordinate campaign tactics with Building a Better Ohio but would not donate to the group.

Gov. Kasich is the latest governor to talk of compromise after bruising political battles this year. Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker, a Republican, said last week he wanted to avoid close votes in the state Senate, where Republicans hold only a one-seat majority after recall elections sparked by a bill similar to the one passed in Ohio.

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